Game system

ABSTRACT

In a handy signal generating device attachable to a game system and holdable in hand of a game player, an impact sensor  30  for generating a signal in response to a hitting motion made by the game player and an acceleration sensor  31  for generating a signal in response to a swinging motion made by the game player are built in a signal generating unit (first to fourth layer  20  to  23  and a cover  23 ). Accordingly, there can be provided a signal generating device which enables the game player to play a game while relatively freely moving his body.

The present invention relates to a signal generating device attachable to a game system in which a game is played in accordance with signals inputted from the outside and particularly to a signal generating device for generating signals in response to hitting and swinging motions made by a game player moving his hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

There have been various kinds of game systems. Particularly, as a game system with which a game player moves his hands as described above is known a game system for playing a so-called “Drum Game”, which game system includes a plurality of drums and light sources provided for the respective drums for instructing a drum to be beaten. This game is played by beating with sticks the drums whose light sources are turned on.

However, in the above “Drum Game”, when the drum is beaten with the stick, a detection sensor provided in each drum detects a beating motion and generates a signal. In other words, the signal generating members are fixed in the game system. Thus, it is difficult for the game player to play this game while relatively freely moving his body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problem residing in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a signal generating device which enables a game player to play a game while relatively freely moving his body.

In order to fulfill the above object, a hand held signal generating device, according to this invention, is attachable to a game system and holdable in hand of a game player. The handy signal generating device comprises a signal generating means provided in the signal generating device for detecting a motion of the arm of the game player holding the signal generating device in hand and generating a signal corresponding to the motion.

With this signal generating device, the game player can play the game while relatively freely moving his body since the signal generating device is holdable in the player's hand and the signal generating means, provided in the signal generating device, detects the motion of the arm of the game player who is holding the device and generates a signal corresponding to the motions of the arm of the game player.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game system according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the game system,

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a switch operation unit provided in the game system,

FIG. 4 is a front view in section showing a woofer loudspeaker provided in the game system,

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a signal generating device provided in the game system,

FIG. 6 is a section along 6—6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the signal generating device,

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the construction of a control system provided in the game system,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content at the time of start) displayed on a monitor provided in the game system,

FIG. 10 is a list showing types of sound modulation and a selecting method of the sound modulation type by a slide switch provided in the game system,

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing a content of a selection mode for music numbers during a game) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing a content of instruction to shout at a microphone at the start of an introduction of a music number) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content after the start of the game) displayed on the monitor, FIG. 13B is a diagram showing instruction marks for a hitting motion, and FIG. 13C is a diagram showing instruction marks for a swinging motion,

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing completion of the music number) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing a game result) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing entry of a name) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing a ranking) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a content of an image (display content representing an end of a series of game contents) displayed on the monitor,

FIG. 19 is a construction diagram showing the construction of a main controller provided in the game system,

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing storage area in a sound data storage provided in the game system, and how sound data are stored,

FIG. 21 is a table showing contents of sound modulations performed by a sound controller provided in the game system, and FIGS. 22 and 23 are a flow chart showing contents of controls executed in the game system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the invention is specifically described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a right side view of a game system according to this embodiment, respectively. In this embodiment, description is given of an example in which two players compete with each other by hitting and swinging motions.

A game system 1 is provided with a base table 2, a television (TV) monitor 3 provided on the base table 2 for displaying game contents, microphones 4 for inputting voices, four signal generating devices 5 placed on a placing portion 2 a projecting forward at the top of the base table 2, woofer loudspeaker units 6 provided inside the opposite side portions of the base table 2, a loudspeaker 7 designed for the entire frequency band and provided above the TV monitor 3, illumination-effect lamps 8 provided above the loudspeaker 7, a coin inserting device 9 provided on a front surface 2 b of the base table 2, two switch operation units 14 provided in left and right positions of the front surface 2 b, and a control system 40 to be described later which is provided inside the game system 1.

Each switch operation unit 14 is, as shown in FIG. 3, comprised of three operation buttons 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and one slide switch 14 d. The triangular operation buttons 14 a and 14 b provided at the opposite sides of the rectangular operation button 14 c are pressed to select a music number and a degree of difficulty of a game based on a sound output from the loudspeaker 7 and a content of an image displayed on the TV monitor 3. The operation button 14 c is also used to decide whether a single-player game or a dual-player game is to be played. For example, the single-player game is selected when the operation button 14 c of the switch operation unit 14 provided at the left side of the front surface 2 b is operated, whereas the dual-player game is selected when the operation button 14 c of the switch operation unit 14 provided at the right side of the front surface 2 b is operated. It is assumed that the operation buttons 14 a, 14 b and 14 c of the left switch operation unit 14 on the front surface 2 b are operated in the case that the single-player game is selected, and the operation buttons 14 a, 14 b and 14 c of the left and right switch operation units 14 are operated in the case that the dual-player game is selected. The slide switch 14 d provided at an upper part of each switch operation unit 14 is adapted to change types of sound modulation, to be described, by being slid to left and right, and a gauge portion 14 e for measuring a sliding amount is provided around a slidable range of the slide switch 14 d.

Each loudspeaker unit 6 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a box-shaped mount portion 10 b which is mounted inside the front surface 2 b of the base table 2 and has an entirely open ceiling surface and a bottom surface open in its center, a transparent tubular body 10 having a circular cross section and suspended from the mount portion 10 b via L-shaped supporting members 10 e, a woofer loudspeaker 11 which is so provided inside the tubular body 10 via a supporting member 11 a as to face upward, and a mount portion 10 c on which the supporting member 11 a is mounted and which is mounted on a bottom plate 2 c of the base table 2.

The tubular body 10 is coupled to the mount portion 10 b by mounting the L-shaped supporting members 10 e in four positions of a bottom surface 10 d of the mount portion 10 b to support the tubular body 10. A clearance 13 is formed between the upper edge of the tubular body 10 and the bottom surface 10 d so as to cause sounds created by the speaker 11 to come out. A tubular member 12 having a circular cross section is mounted on the bottom surface 10 d in such a manner as to surround an upper part of the tubular body 10, and the sounds from the loudspeaker 11 coming out through the clearance 13 propagate downward inside the tubular member 12 to come outside. Inside the mount portion 10 b is provided a light source mount portion 15, in which a light source 16 is mounted. Light from this light source 16 is guided down through an opening in the center of the bottom wall of the mount portion 10 b to illuminate the speaker 11 and its neighboring members.

In the game system 1 thus constructed, four signal generating devices 5 according to this embodiment are placed on the placing portion 2 a projecting from the front upper end of the base table 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the signal generating device 5, FIG. 6 is a section along 6—6 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a right side view of the signal generating device 5.

The signal generating device 5 includes a lower part 5A, an upper part 5B, a cord 5C and a belt 5D. A circular member comprised of four layers: i.e. first to third layers 20, 21, 22 placed one over another in this order, and a fourth layer 23 provided above the third layer 22 with a space 24 defined therebetween, is provided in the lower part 5A. The second layer 21 is made of a metal plate, and tubular portions 21 a projecting upward are formed in four positions of the upper surface thereof. The third layer 22 is made of, e.g. a resin circular plate and is formed with through holes 22 a in four positions corresponding to the tubular portions 21 a. The fourth layer 23 is made of, e.g. a metal plate, and is formed with through holes 23 a min four positions corresponding to the tubular portions 21 a. The tubular portions 21 a penetrate through the through holes 22 a, 23 a, and screws 25 a, having heads of a larger diameter than the through holes 22 a, 23 a, are mounted into the tubular portions 21 a from above to make the second to fourth layers 21, 22 and 23 into a unit. Further, ring-shaped spacers 25, for ensuring the space 24, are provided between the third and fourth layers 22, 23 while having the tubular portions 21 a inserted through holes formed inside them. The spacers 25 are preferably made of, e.g. a foamed urethane or like soft material which can be restored to its original shape.

The first layer 20 is fitted on such a disk-shaped unit of the second to fourth layers 21, 22, 23 while covering the upper periphery, the entire side and bottom surfaces thereof. The bottom surface of the first layer 20 serves as a hitting surface A for hitting a body of a game player, members near him or the like. The first layer 20 is made of rubber or like elastic material in order to alleviate an impact.

Four tubular members 26 stand on the upper surface of the fourth layer 23. These tubular members 26 are mounted by inserting screws 27 into through holes formed inside the tubular members 26 from above and engaging the leading ends of the screws 27 into screw holes (not shown) formed in the fourth layer 23. Four corners of a printed circuit board 28 are tightly held between the four tubular members 26 and the heads of the screws 27. Specifically, through holes having a smaller diameter than the tubular members 26 and the heads of the screws 27 are formed at the four corners of the printed circuit board 28, and the shafts of the screws 27 are inserted into these through holes to hold the printed circuit board 28. An acceleration sensor 31 for detecting a swinging motion is provided on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 28, whereas an impact sensor 30 for detecting a hitting motion is provided on the upper surface of the fourth layer 23.

The upper part 5B provided on the lower part 5A includes a substantially semispherical cover 32, and an upper portion of the cover 32 partly projects to form a projecting portion 32 a. The cord 5C is drawn out through the projecting portion 32 a. Another end of the cord 5C is coupled to the front surface 2 b of the base table 2 (see FIG. 1). The cover 32 has its bottom surface held in contact with the upper end of the first layer 20 of the lower part 5A and is coupled to the lower part 5A via four screws 33. It should be noted that the signal generating member (also referred to as a signal generating means), which is in a form of a casing, is formed by a circular member made of four layers (first layer 20 to fourth layer 23) and the cover 32.

Belt fixing members 34 are provided in two positions of the cover 32, and the belt 5D is mounted in mount holes 34 a formed in the belt fixing devices 34. The belt 5D includes a belt main body 35 and a so-called surface fastener 36 having hooks 36 a at one side and loops 36 b at the other side. The belt main body 35 is an elongated strip, and one side thereof is introduced through one mount hole 34 a and folded and has its overlapping portion fastened by a locking member 37, whereas the other side thereof is passed through the other mount hole 34 a and folded and has the surface fastener 36 mounted on an overlapping portion. By adjusting an overlapping area of the surface fastener 36, the signal generating device 5 can be securely fixed to a game player's hand regardless of the size of his hand, i.e. regardless of whether the game player is a child or an adult. The signal generating device 5 is attached by inserting the hand inside the belt 5D from the side of the cord 5C and is used such that the cord 5C is located at the wrist.

The impact sensor 30 takes advantage of a piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric material using a ferroelectric. Directions in which the piezoelectric material elongates and contracts are assumed to be detecting directions. The impact sensor 30 is provided such that the detecting directions are normal to the fourth layer 23 and a detecting surface is in contact with the fourth layer 23.

On the other hand, the acceleration sensor 31 is adapted to output signals along an X-axis and a Y-axis and is provided such that directions of the X- and Y-axes which are detecting directions are parallel to the bottom surface of the first layer 20 which serves as the hitting surface A. Accordingly, the detecting directions of the acceleration sensor 31 are normal to the detecting directions of the impact sensor 30. The detecting directions of the acceleration sensor 31 and those of the impact sensor 30 may not be necessarily normal to each other. In other words, the detecting directions of the impact sensor 30 may obliquely intersect with the fourth layer 23 or the directions of the X- and Y-axes which are the detecting directions of the acceleration sensor 31 may be inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the first layer 20.

Detection signals of the impact and acceleration sensors 30, 31 are sent to the control system 40 provided in the game system 1 for executing a game via the cord 5C.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the construction of the control system 40 provided in the game system 1 including the signal generating devices 5 according to this embodiment.

The control system 40 executes the game in accordance with a game program stored in a CD-ROM 41 as a second storage medium and includes a microprocessor as a main component which provides a main controller 42, an image controller 45, a sound controller 47, a main storage 43 as a storage for the main controller 42, etc., an image data storage 46, a sound data storage 48, and a lamp driving device 44 for executing a processing necessary to turn on and off the lamps 8 in response to a command from the main controller 42.

Image data stored in the CD-ROM 41 are stored in the image data storage 46. The image controller 45 reads the image data from the image data storage 46 and outputs them to the monitor 3 at specified timings. FIGS. 9, 11 to 18 show contents of images displayed on the monitor 3.

FIG. 9 shows a display content at the start. Identified by 50A is a display showing a content of explanation given at the start of the game. It should be noted that gloves in FIG. 9 refer to the signal generating devices 5.

FIG. 11 shows a display content representing a content of a selection mode of a music number played during the game. Identified by 52A, 52B, 52C are displays representing the music number selection mode, explanation of the selecting operation, and the selected music number.

FIG. 12 shows a display content representing contents of instructions to shout at the microphone 4 after the start of an introduction. Identified by 53A, 53B and 53G are displays representing contents of instructions and a display representing a shouting voice, e.g. “AAA”. At the time of this display, a disk jockey instructs a content of shouting and a shouting timing by voice. The shouting timing is instructed by temporarily changing the color of 5 letters, i.e. “HAAA” of the display 53G of the display screen one by one at a specified speed from the left. The game player may shout following the color change. In this embodiment, two kinds of voices are inputted to the microphone 4. However, in the case that the game player does not input his voice, sounds based on the sound data stored in the CD-ROM 41 are generated.

FIG. 13A shows a display content after the start of the game, FIG. 13B is a display showing instruction marks 53 a for the hitting motion, and FIG. 13C is a display showing instruction marks 53 b for the swinging motion.

L1, L2, L3, L4 in FIG. 13A are virtual lines on which the instruction marks (timing notes) 53 a, 53 b move. The instruction marks 53 a for the hitting motion are so displayed as to move up straight on the respective virtual lines (scroll-display). On the other hand, the instruction marks 53 b for the swinging motion are so displayed as to move up straight on the respective virtual lines (scroll-display) and to transversely swing. L1, L2, L3, L4 are the virtual line for the left hand of the left player, the virtual line for the right hand of the left player, the virtual line for the left hand of the right player, and the virtual line for the right hand of the right player, respectively. In the case of the single-player game, the virtual lines L1, L2 are used because the left switch operation unit 14 is used.

The signal generating device 5 is hit or swung during a specified period within which the instruction marks 53 a, 53 b coincide with reference marks 53A1, 53A2, 53A3, 53A4 provided in reference positions 53C on the respective virtual lines L1, L2, L3, L4. While this display is made, a background sound of the music number to be described later comes out through the loudspeakers 7 and 11. If the signal generating device 5 makes a corresponding motion during the specified period within which the instruction marks 53 a, 53 b coincide with the reference marks 53A1, 53A2, 53A3, 53A4, either one kind of sound set in advance corresponding to each one of the instruction marks 52 a, 53 b or the inputted voice comes out through the loudspeakers 7 and 11.

FIG. 14 shows a display content representing the completion of the music number.

FIG. 15 shows a display content representing scores. The score at the left side of FIG. 15 is of the left player. The number of times of perfect coincidence is displayed in a display area 54A; the number of times of great coincidence in a display area 54B; the number of times of good coincidence in a display area 54C; the number of times of bad coincidence in a display area 54D; the number of times of miss coincidence in a display area 54E; the number of maxcombo in a display area 54F; the score in a display area 54H; and a level of the game result in a display area 54G. Classifications of perfect, great, good, bad and miss coincidences, the maxcombo, the score and the level of the game result are described later.

On the other hand, the score at the right side of FIG. 15 is of the right player. The number of times of perfect coincidence is displayed in a display area 55A; the number of times of great coincidence in a display area 55B; the number of times of good coincidence in a display area 55C; the number of times of bad coincidence in a display area 55D; the number of times of miss coincidence in a display area 55E; the number of maxcombo in a display area 55F; the score in a display area 55H; and a level of the game result in a display area 55G.

FIG. 16 shows a display content in the case that the name of the game player is entered in the ranking, wherein 56A denotes a display representing an operation procedure and 56C denotes a display representing the entered name.

FIG. 17 shows a display content representing an example of the ranking in which top 10 of the game players who played the game and their scores are listed from the best player.

FIG. 18 shows a display content after the completion of a series of game contents. The game ends when this display is made.

Data used to make the above displays are stored together with background images in the image data storage 46, and the image controller 45 reads the image data from the image data storage 46 in the above sequence and contents of the control and cause the monitor 3 to display them.

An operating content as a program necessary to control the entire operation of the game system 1 is written in the main storage 43, and the data stored in the CD-ROM 41 are also stored therein. The main storage 43 may be comprised of, e.g. a ROM and a RAM or of only a ROM.

Referring to FIG. 8, signals from the impact sensor 30 and the acceleration sensor 31, sound data obtained by converting voices into electrical signals by the microphones 4 and further converting the electrical signals into digital signals by an unillustrated analog-to-digital converter, and a detection signal from an unillustrated coin detector provided in the coin inserting device 9 are inputted to the main controller 42 via an interface (I/O) 42 a. The sound data inputted via the microphones 4 are sent to the sound data storage 48.

The main controller 42 is, as shown in FIG. 19, provided with a signal judging section 42A, a signal input timing judging section 42B, an evaluating section 42C and a coin number detecting section 42D.

The signal judging section 42A judges whether the respective detection signals from the impact sensor 30 and the acceleration sensor 31 are specified signals. In this embodiment, the signal judging section 42A judges that a swinging motion has been made when only the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 31 is received, and a hitting motion has been made when the detection signal from the impact sensor 30 is received. This judgment is made because the signal is not outputted from the impact sensor 30 at the time of the swinging motion and both the impact sensor 30 and the acceleration sensor 31 may output detection signals at the time of the hitting motion. By making this judgment, detection error can be prevented.

The signal input timing judging section 42B judges at which timings the respective detection signals from the impact sensor 30 and the acceleration sensor 31 were inputted. Four periods of, e.g. perfect, great, good and bad are set. These periods have such a specific construction that the good period is shorter than the bad period and is set inside the longest bad period, the great period is shorter than the good period and is set inside the good period, and the perfect period is shorter than the great period and is set inside the great period. The centers of the perfect, great, good and bad periods coincide with each other. The signal input timing judging section 42B judges in which period the signal input timing falls and judges that the corresponding motion is perfect if the signal was inputted within the perfect period, great if the signal was inputted within the great period, good if the signal was inputted within the good period, and bad if the signal was inputted within the bad period.

The evaluating section 42C estimates a game result based on a signal received from the signal input timing judging section 42B. Specifically, the evaluating section 42C calculates the numbers of the perfect, great, good and bad motions and judges a miss motion if a motion different from the instruction mark was made, no motion was made, i.e. no signal was inputted despite the fact that the instruction mark was displayed. Further, if the perfect motions continue, the largest of the numbers of continuous perfect motions is obtained as the maxcombo. In this example, SSS, SS, S, A, B, C, D, F are set as levels representing the game results. These numbers and letters are displayed on the monitor 3 (see FIG. 15). Here, the score and the level are determined based on a ratio of the number of the signals judged to be perfect, great or good by the signal input timing judging section 42B to a total number of the marks 53 a, 53 b set in the evaluating section 42C. The marks 53 a, 53 b may be those stored in the CD-ROM 41 beforehand. Alternatively, the evaluating section 42C or the like may successively add the number of the marks 53 a, 53 b in accordance with the program.

The coin number detecting section 42D judges that a single-player game is possible in the case that one detection signal is detected by the coin detector (not shown) while judging that a dual-player game is possible in the case that two detection signals are detected by the coin detector. Whether the single-player game or the dual-player game is to be played is actually decided by operating the operation button 14 c as described above.

The sound data storage 48 is so constructed as to store, for example, about 60 kinds of sound data in the respective storage areas. The sound data stored in the storage areas include the sound data stored in the CD-ROM 41 and signals (sound data) obtained by converting voices given by a game player into electrical signals by the microphones 4 and further converting the electrical signals into digital signals by the unillustrated analog-to-digital converter. Such sound data are set in one-to-one correspondence with the instruction marks 53 a, 53 b.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing part of the storage areas of the sound data storage 48. In this shown example, the sound data stored in the CD-ROM 41 are stored in the storage areas other than sound data blocks 3 and 5, and the sound data relating to the voices sampled by the microphones 4 are stored in the sound data blocks 3 and 5. In the case that no voice is inputted, the sound data set beforehand are stored. Here, the sound data blocks 3 and 5 are referred to as sound block data A and B, respectively.

In the sound data storage 48 are also stored number data relating to address numbers of the storage areas of the sound data storage 48 storing the respective sound data described above. If the signal judging section 42A judges the detection signal inputted from the impact sensor 30 or the acceleration sensor 31 to the main controller 42 is a specified signal, the main controller sends a signal to the sound controller 47, which in turn reads the sound data of the corresponding address number from the sound data storage 48 and outputs it to a sound mixing device 49. This output is made based on a timing at which the sensor 30 or 31 generated the signal. However, in the case of the miss or bad motion, the sound output may not be performed. In other words, the sound data may be read from the sound data storage 48 and outputted if the signal has been inputted to the signal input timing judging section 42B during the good, great or perfect period.

The sound controller 47 has a function of processing the sound data, e.g. a sound modulating function, and modulates the sound data read from the sound data storage 48 according to the preprogrammed type of modulation for the corresponding one of the instruction marks 53 a, 53 b and outputs the modulated sound data to the sound mixing device 49. The types of modulation include the type of changing the sound level of voices lying within at least part of frequency regions divided at specified intervals (hereinafter, modulation 1); the type of thinning out voices lying within part of the frequency regions (hereinafter, modulation 2); and the type of expanding and compressing at least part of sound waves with respect to a time axis (hereinafter, modulation 3).

The types of modulation by the sound modulating function of the sound controller 47 can be changed according to the operational position of the slide switch (referred also to as a slider) 14 d. For instance, the types of sound modulation at the upper part of FIG. 10 are selected if the slide switch 14 d is set at left-side positions, whereas those at the lower part of FIG. 10 are selected if the slide switch 14 d is set at right-side positions.

FIG. 21 is a table showing an example of sound modulations applied to the voices sampled by the microphones 4.

In this shown example, the sound data blocks 1, 4 are not modulated because being the sound data stored in the CD-ROM 41, whereas the sound data blocks A and B storing the sound data relating to the voices sampled by the microphones 4 are subjected to the modulations 1 and 3 for the corresponding ones of the instruction marks 53 a, 53 b. The modulation which can be changed according to a slid amount of the slide switch 14 d can be applied to all the sound data read from the sound data storage 48. Although the modulations 1 and 3 are performed in the example of FIG. 21, desired one(s) of the modulations 1 to 5 can be applied.

The sound mixing device 49 has a digital-to-analog converting function and is adapted to covert the sound data from the sound controller 47 into an analog signal and output it as a real sound through the loudspeakers 7 and 11. The sound data of the background sound stored in the CD-ROM 41 is directly inputted to the sound mixing device 49, which in turn converts the received sound data into an analog signal and outputs as a real sound through the loudspeakers 7 and 11.

The CD-ROM 41 is detachably mounted in the game system 1. The data and program stored in the CD-ROM 41 are read by an unillustrated data reading means, and image-relating ones of the read data and program are stored in the image data storage 46, sound-relating ones thereof are stored in the sound data storage 47, and the remainder is stored in the main storage 43.

The image data stored in the CD-ROM 41 include, for example, the displays 50A to 56C displayed on the monitor 3 as shown in FIGS. 9 to 18, and the image control programs stored in the CD-ROM 41 include, for example, the image data reading timings. The sound data stored in the CD-ROM 41 include, for example, the sound data to be stored in the sound data storage 48 (excluding the voices inputted through the microphones 4) and the background sounds, and the sound control programs stored in the CD-ROM 41 include, for example, the sound data reading timings.

The remaining data and programs stored in the CD-ROM 41 include, for example, a lamp turning program. The lamp turning program is inputted to the main controller 42 via the interface 42 a, the main controller 42 sends a command signal based on this program to the lamp driving device 44, and the lamp driving device 44 controllably turns on the corresponding one(s) of a plurality of lamps 8 in accordance with the received command signal from the main controller 42. Since the CD-ROM 41 is detachably mounted as described above, another storage medium storing other music numbers and different positions of the instruction marks can be set in the game system 1.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are a flow chart executed in the game system including the signal generating devices 5 according to this embodiment.

First, prior to the start of the game, in Step ST1, displays and sound output (demonstration) are made to introduce the contents of the game, operation procedure, ranking up to the present, etc., and the image shown in FIG. 9 is, for example, displayed on the monitor 3, and how to play the game is explained through the loudspeakers 7 and 11. Simultaneously, it is discriminated whether one or more coins have been inserted (Step ST2).

If one or more coins have been inserted, a game title, e.g. Rap Freaks is displayed on the monitor 3 for a predetermined time (Step ST3), and a specified selection screen is then displayed on the monitor 3 (Step ST4).

A game player selects a single-player game or a dual-player game. It is then successively discriminated whether the selection has been completed (Step ST5) and whether a start button has been pushed (Step ST6). When the start button is discriminated to have been pushed, a specified explanation screen is displayed (Step ST9).

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether a predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST10). If the discrimination result is affirmative, a multitude of selectable music numbers are displayed on the monitor 3 (Step ST11). During this display, the game player selects a desired music number from the displayed music numbers.

It is then discriminated whether the selection of the music number has been completed (Step ST12), and the name of the selected music number is displayed on the monitor 3 as shown in FIG. 11 (Step ST13) if the selection has been completed.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether another predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST14). If the discrimination result is affirmative, an introduction is started and a voice sampling instruction is given by displaying the screen for the voice sampling shown in FIG. 12 and outputting the voice through the loudspeakers (Step ST15). In accordance with this instruction, the game player speaks or shouts a sentence of the instructed content at the microphone 4, and his voice is stored in the specified storage area of the sound data storage 48.

It is then discriminated whether the voice sampling has been completed (Step ST16), and the game is started (Step ST17) if the voice sampling has been completed. As the game is started, the game content shown in FIG. 13A is displayed on the monitor 3, and the game player moves the signal generating member (signal generating means) 5 in response to the instruction marks 53 a for the hitting motion and the instruction marks 53 b for the swinging motion. During the game, a life is administered by the accumulation of evaluations made by the main controller 42. This life administration is such that a life gauge increases upon a good evaluation (perfect, great) and decreases upon a bad evaluation (bad, miss). If the life gauge runs short, the game is over.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether the life still exists and whether the music number has ended (Steps ST18, ST19).

If the life is discriminated to have ended (NO in Step ST18) or if the music number is discriminated to have ended (YES in Step ST19), a display is made to inform the end of the music number (Step ST20). Specifically, a message CLEARED as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the monitor 3 if the music number is played to the end, whereas a message FAILURE is displayed if the music number is ended upon exhaustion of the life. Subsequently, it is discriminated whether a predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST21). If the discrimination result is affirmative, a game result as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the monitor 3 (Step ST22). This game result is a result of evaluation of the evaluating section 42C as to whether the game player made the hitting motions and the swinging motions in response to the instruction marks 53 a, 53 b within a predetermined period while holding the signal generating device 5.

It is then discriminated whether the entry of the name is necessary (Step ST23). This discrimination is made by the evaluating section 42C by discriminating whether the score of the game player is equal to or above a reference value upon the end of the music number, i.e. whether this score satisfies a name entry condition. If the entry of the name is necessary, a name entry screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the monitor 3 (Step ST24), and the game player performs a name entry operation accordingly.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether the entry of the name has been completed (Step ST25), and a ranking as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed (Step ST26) if the discrimination result is affirmative. If the entry of the name is not necessary (NO in Step ST23), this routine directly proceeds to Step ST26 to display the ranking.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether a predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST27). If the discrimination result is affirmative, the game is ended and a message “GAME OVER” shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the monitor 3 (Step ST28).

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment, and may be embodied as follows.

(1) In the foregoing embodiment, the main controller 42 provided in the game system 1 includes the signal judging section 42A in order to prevent a detection error due to simultaneous signal generation of the impact sensor 30 and the acceleration sensor 30 at the time of the hitting motion. However, according to the present invention, it is preferable to provide the signal generating device 5 with the signal judging section 42A to which output signals of the impact sensor 30 and the acceleration sensor 31 are inputted.

(2) Although the signal generating means has the hitting surface A in the foregoing embodiment, it may be a bar having no hitting surface such as a bat or may be something like a glove in which the game player's hand is insertable. The signal generating device may be fitted on the game player's wrist instead of being held in hand.

(3) Although the impact sensor is used for detecting the hitting motion in the foregoing embodiment, an other sensor, for example, a micro-switch or like switch for detecting an electrical conduction may be used therefor according to the present invention.

(4) Although the acceleration sensor is used for detecting the swinging motion in the foregoing embodiment, another sensor may be used therefor according to the present invention.

Further, the game systems to which the signal generating device according to the present invention is applicable are not limited to the aforementioned one, but may be those having other kinds of game contents.

These game systems include, for example, a game system in which instruction marks are arrayed in specified positions and a reference mark is scroll-displayed, and a game system in which the music number is outputted as sounds as it is, but sounds based on signals (or instruction marks) generated by the signal generating device (sensors 30 and 31) are not outputted.

As described in detail above, in the inventive signal generating device, the two sensors are provided in the signal generating means, the first sensor (also referred to as a first detecting member) generates the first signal when the signal generating means is hit while the second sensor (also referred to as a second detecting member) generates the second signal when it is swung, and the signal generating means is hand held. Therefore, the game player can play the game while relatively freely moving his body.

Summing up the aforementioned descriptions, a hand held signal generating device, according to this invention, is attachable to a game system and holdable in hand of a game player. The hand held signal generating device comprises a signal generating means for detecting a motion of the arm of the game player holding the hand held signal generating device in hand and generating a signal corresponding to the motion.

With this signal generating device, the game player can play the game while relatively freely moving his body since the signal generating device is hold in the player's hand and the signal generating means provided in the signal generating device detects the motion of the arm of the game player who is holding the device and generates a signal corresponding to the motions of the arm of the game player.

In the aforementioned signal generating device, the signal generating means may include a first signal detecting member for detecting a hitting motion of the arm of the game player holding the signal generating device with the hand and for generating a first signal corresponding to the hitting motion.

In addtion, the signal generating means may include a second signal detecting member for detecting a swing motion of the arm of the game player holding the signal generating device with the hand and for generating a second signal corresponding to the swing motion.

Furthermore, the signal generating means may include both of the first signal detecting member and the second signal detecting member as described in the above.

With this signal generating device, the game player can play the game while relatively freely moving his body since the first signal detecting member generates the first signal when the hitting motion of the game player is detected and the second signal detecting member generates the second signal when the swing motion of the game player is detected.

In the aforementioned signal generating device, the first signal detecting member may include an impact sensor and the second signal generating means may include an acceleration sensor. In addition, impact sensor may include a piezoelectric device.

Moreover, detecting directions of the motions by the impact sensor and the acceleration sensor can be set to intersect with each other.

In this construction, since the detecting directions of the impact sensor and the acceleration sensor differ, it is possible to cause one of the two sensors to generate a desired signal in response to a strict motion of the signal generating means in a specified direction.

Furthermore, the detecting directions of the motions by the impact sensor and the acceleration sensor can be set normal to each other.

With this construction, since an angle formed between the detecting directions of the two sensors becomes larger, a desired signal can be more reliably generated. More specifically, if the signal generating means is moved in a direction slightly displaced from the specified direction in the case that the detecting directions of the two sensors are only intersecting with each other, simultaneous generation of the signals by the two sensors is unavoidable. However, in the case of this construction, even if the signal generating means is moved in a direction slightly displaced from the specified direction, only a desired signal can be reliably generated since the angle formed between the detecting directions of the two sensors is large.

The aforementioned signal generating device may further comprise a judging means for judging which one of the hitting motion and the swing motion has been made based on ON-OFF states of the first and second signals received from the first and the second signal detecting members.

With this construction, the judging means judges that the swinging motion was made when only the detection signal of the second detecting member is ON while judging that the hitting motion was made when the detection signal of the first detecting member is ON. In other words, this judgment takes into consideration that the signal from the first detecting member is OFF at the time of the swinging motion and both the first and the second detecting members may output the detection signals at the time of the hitting motion. This judgment can prevent a detection error even if the signal generating means is moved in a direction slightly displaced from the specified direction. Further, the construction of the game system can be simplified as compared to a case where the judging means is provided in the game system.

In the aforementioned signal generating device, a belt is preferably provided outside the signal generating means to hold the hand between the outer surface of the signal generating means and the belt.

With this construction, the game player's hand can be more securely held between the signal generating means and the belt even if the signal generating means is so constructed as to be holdable. This prevents the signal generating means from leaving his hand during the motion.

Moreover, a surface fastener can be mounted on the belt so as to adjust the length of the belt.

With this construction, if the length of the belt is adjusted according to the size of the game player's hand, the signal generating means is prevented from leaving his hand during the motion regardless of whether he is a child or an adult.

The signal generating means may be provided with a hitting surface on its outer surface.

Moreover, the hitting surface is preferably a planar.

Further, the hitting surface can be made of a rubber material.

With such a hitting surface, a degree of an impact exerted on the signal generating means can be reduced.

In the aforementioned signal generating device, the signal generating device may be electrically connected with the game system via a cord.

Moreover, the signal generating means is preferably constructed such that the cord is located at or near the wrist of the game player while it is held in the hand of the game player.

Such a signal generating means can be easily operated.

This application is based on Japanese application serial no. HEI 11-253687 filed on Sep. 7, 1999, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A signal generating device attachable to a game system and to be carried at a position on a limb of a game player, comprising: a first signal generating means for detecting a swinging motion of the limb of the game player and producing an acceleration signal indicating acceleration of the swinging motion at the position on the limb; and a second signal generating means for detecting a hitting motion and producing an impact signal indicating impact contact of the signal generating device with an object.
 2. A signal generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal generating means is an impact sensor including a piezoelectric device deformable by said impact contact.
 3. A signal generating device according to claim 1, wherein: the first signal generating means detects acceleration in at least a first detecting direction relative to said signal generating device; the second signal generating means detects force directed in a second detecting direction relative to said signal generating device which is generated by the impact contact; and the first and second detecting directions intersect with each other.
 4. A signal generating device according to claim 1, wherein: the first signal generating means detects acceleration in at least a first detecting direction relative to said signal generating device; the second signal generating means detects force directed in a second detecting direction relative to said signal generating device which is generated by the impact contact; and the first and second detecting directions are normal to each other.
 5. A signal generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a judging means for judging which one of the hitting motion and the swing motion has been made based on ON-OFF states of the acceleration signal and impact signals received from the first and the second signal generating means.
 6. The signal generating device according to claim 5 wherein said judging means judges that the swinging motion is made when said first signal generating means produces the acceleration signal in an ON state relating the swinging motion and said second signal generating means produces the impact signal in an OFF state not indicating the impact contact of the signal generating device with an object.
 7. The signal generating device according to claim 5 wherein said judging means judges that the hitting motion is made when said second signal generating means produces the impact signal in an ON state indicating the impact contact of the signal generating device with an object regardless of an OFF-ON state of the acceleration signal.
 8. A signal generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing which houses said first and second signal generating means, and a belt on an outside surface of the housing to hold the housing to the limb.
 9. A signal generating device according to claim 8, wherein a surface fastener is mounted on the belt so as to adjust a length of the belt.
 10. A signal generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal generating means includes a hitting surface on an outer surface of the signal generating device.
 11. A signal generating device according to claim 10, wherein the hitting surface is planar.
 12. A signal generating device according to claim 10, wherein the hitting surface is made of a rubber material.
 13. A signal generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a cord to be electrically connected to a game system to communicate the acceleration signal and the impact signal to the game system.
 14. A signal generating device according to claim 13, wherein the cord is located at or near a wrist of the limb of the game player when the signal generating device is mounted on a hand of the limb.
 15. A signal generating device attachable to a game system and to be carried at a position on an arm of a game player, comprising: a first signal generating means for producing an acceleration signal indicating acceleration of the arm at the position on the arm and for detecting a swinging motion of the arm of the game player; and a second signal generating means including an impact sensor for producing an impact signal indicating impact contact of the signal generating device with an object and for detecting a hitting motion by said impact sensor.
 16. A signal generating device attachable to a game system, comprising: a carrier member configured to engage a limb of a user to permit the user to wear the carrier member; said carrier member having a first signal generating means for detecting a swinging motion of the limb of the game player and producing an acceleration signal relating acceleration of the limb; said carrier member having a second signal generating means for detecting a hitting motion and producing an impact signal indicating impact contact of the signal generating device with an object; and said carrier member housing said first and second signal generating means.
 17. The signal generating device according to claim 16 wherein said carrier member is in the form of a glove to permit wearing on the user's hand.
 18. A signal generating device attachable to a game system and to be carried at a position on a limb of a game player, comprising: a first signal generating means for detecting an acceleration in a first detecting direction of a motion of the limb and producing an acceleration signal indicating acceleration of the motion of the limb; a second signal generating means for detecting an impact force in a second detecting direction of the motion of the limb and producing an impact signal indicating impact contact of the signal generating device with an object; said first detecting direction and said second detecting direction being normal to each other; and a judging means for judging which one of the hitting motion and the swing motion has been made based on ON-OFF states of the acceleration signal and impact signals received from the second signal generating means. 